Dolloff leaving RSU 21

Thursday

KENNEBUNK — RSU 21 Superintendent Andrew Dolloff has accepted a position as superintendent of the Yarmouth School District effective July 1.

KENNEBUNK — RSU 21 Superintendent Andrew Dolloff has accepted a position as superintendent of the Yarmouth School District effective July 1.

Dolloff, who joined the district in June of 2009, said the decision was both a personal and professional one and that there is much he would like to accomplish during his remaining five months in RSU 21.

Community members and school officials say there is no doubt that Dolloff's departure from RSU 21 is a loss to the district and the community.

“I am very sorry for the district, the community, and especially our students, that Andrew will be leaving,” said school board director Tim Hussey. “He has unique leadership skills and has done an outstanding job here. He will be missed, for sure, but has made a major impact and will leave us in great shape.”

Dolloff came to RSU 21 after working for the Scarborough School District for 13 years, first as its athletic administrator, then as principal of Scarborough High school, and finally as assistant superintendent.

Dolloff said he was approached by the Yarmouth district “several months ago” about potentially being a candidate for the position, which is currently being filled on an interim basis. While there were several positions that opened up in the greater Portland area, where Dolloff said he and his wife have been eyeing a move, he only applied in Yarmouth for several reasons.

Dolloff says he has an ancestral connection to Yarmouth. It's where his grandparents lived, and graduated from Yarmouth High School, and family members have lived and owned businesses there.

“I have a strong personal connection with the town,” Dolloff said.

In addition, Dolloff said he and his wife Brenda have children between the ages of 19 and 25 and are finding themselves with somewhat of an “empty nest,” and currently living in Gorham have been looking to move closer to Portland, where they enjoy restaurants, shows, recreation and other offerings.

On the professional side, Dolloff said he would not leave a district of the quality of RSU 21 for a district of any lesser quality or one that wasn't the right match. Dolloff said he applied for the position in the fall and met with focus groups.

“As it turned out, we both felt that it was a good fit,” he said. “It was a pretty narrow scope for which I was going to consider any position. (Yarmouth) has a great reputation similar to what we have here.”

Looking back on his five years in RSU 21, Dolloff said he's been proud of the relationships he's made, and that's what he will miss the most.

“We have had a very bold and insightful board. We have enjoyed talented and dedicated administrators, teachers and support staff. I just have enjoyed so many of the people that I've gotten to know, whatever their relationship to the district, whether they were a parent, a community member or an employee,” Dolloff said. “Even individuals who might feel that they have a perspective that's different than mine, when those differences can be shared respectfully or even with some humor, I take a great deal of pleasure in that. I have experienced quite a bit of that here.”

Susan Cressey, principal of Kennebunk High School, said Dolloff is a strong communicator and leader who she called “a mentor and friend.”

“A big word with Andrew is connection. He has connections from the students, teachers, parents, he's very approachable and that's something he certainly brought here,” Cressey said. “He's a person of integrity. In terms of communication, he's always very transparent in keeping people informed. And he's a listener. He listens to various perspectives. He's just an amazing leader.”

At the start of each school year, Cressey said the entire RSU faculty joins for a breakfast and welcoming address. Under Dolloff's leadership, she said staff leave that meeting inspired.

“Sometimes people dread those opening of school meetings and Andrew always addresses us, gives a speech, and people look forward to that. He inserts humor. He inspires us,” she said. “He remembers what it's like to be a teacher. He hasn't forgotten that.”

Dolloff said he has begun working with Kevin Knight, chairman of the RSU 21 Board of Directors, to suggest a course of action for finding a new superintendent that will include input from board members, staff, and the public. The board of directors will continue that discussion during its meeting on Monday, Dolloff said, and he's hopeful that he can offer insight into the process.

“There are people calling me who are interested, qualified people, so that's a good sign that this early in the public stages that people are already considering it,” he said. “It's a testament to how we have presented ourselves for the most part as a district and as communities. Yes, there's some rancor and some debate, but there are difficult issues to be addressed and in my speaking with potential candidates I've told them that there are very intelligent, passionate people in these three communities who will help guide that debate and they will come to solutions that will be best for the community.”

Dolloff said there is much that he would like to accomplish before July 1, particularly moving along whatever renovation plan will next go to voters, after a $75 million plan to renovate Kennebunk High School, Mildred L. Day School and Kennebunkport Consolidated School was voted down last week.

Dolloff said he would like to see a new plan in place by July, with a public information campaign laid out through the fall, and a vote in November.

“I think that would be ideal,” he said. “But if that's overly aggressive we'll have to recognize that and I'll follow along as best as I can.”

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